Cracked Lichfield roads set for resurfacing work
Cracked paving slabs on roads in Lichfield are set to be replaced during a three month resurfacing scheme.
Work to re-pave Conduit Street, Breadmarket Street and the lower part of Market Street will start in January and is expected to cost tens of thousands of pounds.
In preparation, Staffordshire County Council will be carrying out investigatory works this month, filling in smaller holes to establish the estimated cost of the project.
The paving slabs were laid in 2007 and the cracking has affected the roads but not the pavements.
The works will be part-funded by cash from the original repaving project which was retained by the district council.
It will be completed in three phases and bosses aim to keep the city centre operational and open to essential traffic throughout the revamp.
Councillor Mark Deaville, responsible for highways and transport at Staffordshire County Council said: "Based on feedback from city traders, we're planning to carry out the repaving works from January 2016, when it will have the least impact on local trade and shoppers.
"In advance of this we're doing some investigatory testing this month and the results of this will help us to plan the finer engineering details."
He added: "We would like to reassure shoppers, visitors and businesses that between now and when the works start, we are stepping up the frequency of repairs to the affected roads.
"In the long-term, the paving will be replaced with a more attractive and hard wearing finish, so we hope everyone will bear with us. We also put the new paving on display in the district council house in the coming months, so people can see what the renewed streets will look like."
The cracking has also affected Market Square, which is owned and managed by Lichfield City Council.
Separate repaving works to the Market Square are planned for later this year.
The market will continue throughout the works.
Councillor Ian Pritchard, cabinet member for economy and development at Lichfield District Council, said: "We are delighted that the repaving works are set to go ahead and will be working with traders over the coming months to confirm the exact timing of the works."
